June 01, 2009

Countdown to De-Acta-vation...

(AP Photo by Lawrence Jackson. Manny and Jimbo, in happier times.)

"We're dead last in pitching, and we're dead last in defense. You're not going to win too many games that way. But it's not about being complacent, and it's not about me turning this desk over. You've got to pitch and catch the ball."(Manny Acta, via Nationals dot com, 5/31/2009)

That's it for today, but I'll keep bringing you different topics every week; and please feel free to keep submitting your questions.

So long NatsTown,

MA

Seems even the eternal optimist Acta can see through Mike Rizzo's flimsy vote of confidence (via Nationals Journal earlier today):

Asked directly about Acta's job security, Rizzo offered an indirect answer. "Like I said, the manager is judged by how the players react. The effort level is there. The respect level is there. The evaluation process continues for everybody, including the staff, including the players."

Follow-up: So, is Acta's job secure?

"I just answered that question," he said. "We're constantly evaluating everybody in the organization. We'll evaluate it, and decisions are gonna be made."

Then again, you'd be wishy-washy like Rizzo, too, if you had "interim" tagged on your job title. Now, is Mike speaking for the organization, or just giving his opinion? Is he actually involved in the decision making process, or is that Stan Kasten's domain? By the way, where is Stan these days? Seems like only yesterday Stan was everywhere after he got his wish with Jimbo's resignation.